Socialist Bernie Sanders wants to turn internet into public utility. What can go wrong?

[Twilight Hue]

Bernie Sanders has a $150 billion plan to turn the internet into a public utility with low prices and fast speeds — here's how his plan works

*Yikes*

 

[Terese]

Sounds pretty good to me! May i ask why it doesn't appeal to you?

 

[Nakosis]

Bernie Sanders has a $150 billion plan to turn the internet into a public utility with low prices and fast speeds — here's how his plan works

*Yikes*

All sounds good but likely everyone will end up with subpar internet access.
Reminds me of the promises made with the ACA. Politicians usually have big ideas, big plans but really don't understand what it will take.

 

[Revoltingest]

Bernie Sanders has a $150 billion plan to turn the internet into a public utility with low prices and fast speeds — here's how his plan works

*Yikes*

What government provides, government can control, & even take away.
Who here would give that power to our current president, or any of the
past malefactors in office?

 

[SigurdReginson]

What government provides, government can control, & even take away.
Who here would give that power to our current president, or any of the
past malefactors in office?

Good point. I'm in favor of government controlling some things, such as the prison system, but not when it comes to the internet. Then again, companies are already controlling what we can and cannot see. A free internet was only a temporary luxury. It didn't last long, but it was nice while we had it.

 

[Brickjectivity]

The Millennials will save us! Just kiddin.

Bernie Sanders can turn the internet into a public utility. I don't think its that big of a deal. Also 150 billion is scratch compared to what we're currently flushing 15 times a year on wars.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Sounds pretty good to me! May i ask why it doesn't appeal to you?

Think US Post office and UPS, Fed Ex.

The latter is clearly more accomodated by the public with a far more motivated staff.

Have you observed govt employees at work? ;0)

 

[Flame]

Think US Post office and UPS, Fed Ex.

The latter is clearly more accomodated by the public with a far more motivated staff.

Have you observed govt employees at work? ;0)

I wouldn't use US Post, UPS and Fedex for examples. The Post might be slow but I haven't gotten shredded boxes from them. The amount of boxes I've gotten from Fedex that have been destroyed is obscene.

 

[Terese]

Think US Post office and UPS, Fed Ex.

The latter is clearly more accomodated by the public with a far more motivated staff.

Have you observed govt employees at work? ;0)

I wouldn't use US Post, UPS and Fedex for examples. The Post might be slow but I haven't gotten shredded boxes from them. The amount of boxes I've gotten from Fedex that have been destroyed is obscene.

Aside from a bent book that was delivered to me, my experience has been quite good. I'm not from the US though, so if the internet does become a public utility they better have standards. Hopefully.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Aside from a bent book that was delivered to me, my experience has been quite good. I'm not from the US though, so if the internet does become a public utility they better have standards. Hopefully.

There won't be. Think of the taxes and how it's going to be paid. Hint: it won't ever be the govt.

Also it's a classic Socialist grab to control and centralize means of communication by taking ownership of everything on the internet.

 

[Terese]

There won't be. Think of the taxes and how it's going to be paid. Hint: it won't ever be the govt.

Also it's a classic Socialist grab to control and centralize means of communication by taking ownership of everything on the internet.

As far as i know the article says Bernie wants to make the internet publicly owned. That's not taking steps to control and centralise it.

 

[Brickjectivity]

I would support a redundant internet backbone provided through local US postal offices. We already have the real estate, so use it. We have the postal service workers, too; and they could in addition to delivering mail do things like check to make sure the internet boxes are kept cold.

 

[Brickjectivity]

It wouldn't need to provide video-quality internet just basic connectivity good enough for email. This would change the game, improve internet in general and be cheap to implement. We just want things to improve, and we want connectivity for citizens. Those other companies provide fast internet. That's what they are about.

 

[Quintessence]

The internet should have been set up as a public utility decades ago. On a local level, some cities are already taking this necessary step. My own city is considering a measure to build this infrastructure for everyone within its borders instead of this ridiculous patchwork system we have now. Not only will it improve internet access markedly for everybody in my city, it'll stymie the outrageous costs of internet access around here too.

 

[Twilight Hue]

As far as i know the article says Bernie wants to make the internet publicly owned. That's not taking steps to control and centralise it.

I doubt the average citizen will any say in how it would be managed.

 

[Brickjectivity]

The internet should have been set up as a public utility decades ago. On a local level, some cities are already taking this necessary step. My own city is considering a measure to build this infrastructure for everyone within its borders instead of this ridiculous patchwork system we have now. Not only will it improve internet access markedly for everybody in my city, it'll stymie the outrageous costs of internet access around here too.

Yes. Its true that UPS and Fedex are competitive, but how competitive would they behave without the postal service? Not as and maybe not at all.